Hemmerle Jewels Fetch $1.4M at Sotheby’s Auction
It marked the largest single-owner collection of jewels from the storied German jeweler.

“A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith,” garnered $1.4 million for the Hemmerle collection, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $823,000, with 90 percent of lots selling above their high estimates.
The 19-piece collection belonged to the late philanthropist and art patron Michelle Smith.
She was the daughter of the renowned businessman, real estate developer, and philanthropist Robert Smith and artist Clarice Smith.
A businesswoman in her own right, Smith served as the vice president of product design and development for Charles E. Smith Residential Realty and its successor, Archstone-Smith.
“Michelle Smith’s vision is epitomized in her jewelry collection, telling the story of a woman who, when she decided she liked a certain style or maker, explored and collected in depth,” said Sotheby’s.

The standout was a pair of copper and diamond ear studs, featuring two old European-cut diamonds weighing 8.81 and 8.80 carats. The pair sold for $201,600, surpassing its $100,000 to $150,000 estimate.

A bronze and colored diamond ring, set with an 8.05-carat, cushion-cut, light yellowish brown diamond sold for $176,400, more than double its pre-sale estimate
Hemmerle has been known to craft jewelry from out-of-the-ordinary materials, including iron and antique artifacts.

One such piece, an aluminum and fancy deep brownish greenish yellow diamond ring, sold for $151,200, soaring past the $35,000 to $45,000 estimate.

A bronze and fossilized sea urchin necklace sold for $32,760, more than double the low-end of its $15,000 to $25,000 estimate.

A brass, wood, peridot, and tourmaline cuff bracelet sold for $60,480, just above the high-end of its $40,000 to $60,000 estimate.
It’s the largest private collection of jewels from the German jeweler seen at auction since a 2019 Sotheby’s auction.
Hemmerle was founded in 1893 in Munich by brothers Joseph and Anton Hemmerle.
Alongside Hemmerle, “A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith” also featured lots from Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Suzanne Belperron, René Boivin, and Graff.
The Latest

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.


The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.